Town creates new Justice Court Director position

A month after former Southold Town senior court clerk Christine Stulsky resigned amid an investigation into the theft of money from the court the Southold Town Board created a new position for the department.

The board voted unanimously Tuesday to establish the position of Justice Court Director with a civil service salary scale that sets entry level pay at about $63,000 and increases to more than $74,000 in five years.

Following the meeting, Town Supervisor Scott Russell said the board voted to create the civil service position in order to “keep all their options on the table,” but has no plans to fill the job immediately. He added that the board would not make any personnel changes within the department until an independent audit of the court is completed and the town receive’s a final report from the Suffolk County District Attorney.

“In the meantime the Town Board wanted be assertive and look at its options and opportunities that we might want to take advantage of,” Mr. Russell said. “Anytime you create a new position in town government you are required to go to civil service and have them establish that position. It does not require us to fill it.”

A job description obtained by The Suffolk Times shows the Justice Court Director would be responsible for collecting, depositing and recording all justice court fines, fees and bail payments. The person would also supervise the maintenance of court records, prepare monthly reports to the state comptroller and assist the town justices in helping the town supervisor prepare his proposed annual budget.

In March, the Town Board accepted the resignation of Ms. Stulsky, who according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office is suspected of stealing “a substantial amount of money” while serving as the senior justice court clerk .

Ms. Stulsky’s duties have since been taken over by other employees of the justice court, Mr. Russell said Tuesday.